What to know
The Sanriku Coast (Sanriku Kaigan) is a rugged, scenic shoreline stretching over 300 kilometers along the Pacific side of the Tohoku Region, crossing Aomori, Iwate, and Miyagi prefectures. Its countless bays, cliffs, and coves have long drawn visitors, and much of the area is protected as the Sanriku Recovery National Park.
This coast has been repeatedly hit by massive tsunamis. On March 11, 2011, the strongest earthquake ever recorded in Japan triggered a devastating tsunami that struck the northeastern Pacific coast, with the Sanriku Coast suffering the worst damage. Around 20,000 people died, and tens of thousands of buildings were swept away. Entire districts of many coastal cities vanished, and several towns were nearly obliterated.
Reconstruction has made good progress but continues. Many tourist spots reopened within months of the disaster, and tourism is seen as a key way to help revive the region and ensure the event is not forgotten.
Visitor information
Practical details to check before planning this stop.
- Hours
- Closed
- Admission
- English name
- Sanriku Fukko National Park
- Original name
- Sanriku Coast
Verify details before visiting. Currency conversion is indicative and may vary over time.